Watermelon/Melon

Watermelon Botanical name: Citrullus lanatus
Sow watermelon seed direct after all danger of frost has passed into warm soil, 1-2 cm deep, 1 m apart on raised mounds, rows 2 m apart; watermelons need plenty of space. Prepare your soil with compost and well-rotted manure; deep digging is beneficial. The soil needs to be well drained. Avoid over-watering once the fruit is nearly ripe as this will make for a bland flavoured melon (as will too much rain). Harvest when the tendril closest to the fruit stem is dry and brown and when the underside of the fruit has changed colour to yellow. For those with a musical ear you can try tapping it to see if it sounds hollow.

Rockmelon Botanical name: Cucumis melo
Melons are warm season annual vines and require a long, hot growing season. In temperate areas sow October – November, after all danger of frost; subtropical areas sow September – November; in tropical areas sow April – July, during the dry season. Sow directly where it is to grow 10 – 20mm deep, or start early in individual seedling pots, in cool areas bottom heat will be required. Seed germinates best at a soil temperature of 23 – 35° C. Seed will germinate in 4 – 10 days. Soil should be fertile, well-drained, with a pH 6 – 6.5. Space rows 1.5 m apart with 1m between plants on raised mounds. Pinch out the growing tip to encourage branching; when the fruit forms pinch back the vine to 2 leaves beyond the fruit. Melons can be grown vertically where space is limited but support the fruit with onion bags. Growing vertically also reduces the risk of fungal problems. Slide a flat piece of wood underneath ripening fruit on the ground to avoid rotting from contact with wet soil. Harvest when the melon slips easily from the stem.